un-Effing Titleable

9

 Bliss

Time flies when you're knocked-up or whatever it is they say these days.

Only a month after her first appointment Alai's boss at the club told her that she could no longer work the stage, as a few of the customers had complained about her growing belly. They offered her a spot behind the bar until she could get back on stage, but she was NOT about to be on her feet for that ungodly amount of time. With nothing else to do, Alai poured her heart and soul into her business. She went to seminars and paid for courses to find ways to better herself and slowly, she began to see her client list grow.

Now, with her being 7 months pregnant, Salim basically lived at Alai's, only time he went home was when he ran out of clothes, or if he had a "play" to make. He zipped around Alai's apartment all day, like a gnat, pouncing on her whenever a thought entered his mind about her comfort, making sure she was, fed, hydrated, moisturized and any other thing that came to his mind. It was slightly annoying always having someone in her space but, it was also something she could get used to, and she had to admit having the help was nice.

"Bang", the door slammed, once again breaking Alai's focus as Salim returned from the store. For the past hour and a half, she had been staring at a blank page, trying to complete a meal plan for a client while being distracted by even the tiniest sound in the house. Birds chirping outside the window, distracted. Dust settling on the couch, DISTRACTED. During the last couple of weeks, a dense fog had settled deep within Alai's brain, her memory was terrible, and her attention span was shot. The doctors told her that a lot of women experienced "baby brain" during pregnancy and that it was nothing to worry about. OH, but it was, it drastically affected her and caused her to lose a few of her major clients . Money was tight and bills were past due, the added stress only contributed to the uselessness of her brain.

"Alai, what the fuck is this," Salim asked finally reaching her clutching what appeared to be a crinkled sheet of paper.

"Wellllll", she said swiveling her chair slowly to fully face him, " How, the, fuck, am I supposed to know with you having it balled up like an unfolded fitted sheet? " she asked him in the sweetest voice ever, chuckling lightly at the end.

" This shit not a fucking joke Alai, you're being fucking evicted. Why didn't you tell me you needed help? I'm literally always fucking here you should a said something before it got to this." Salim was looking at her, eyes full of disappointment, the notice balled up so tightly in his hand it was turning red and Alai just couldn't deal.

She burst out laughing, a full hearty laugh, tears streaming down her face, she even peed herself a little, but she laughed on, laughed until she could laugh no more and then wiping her eyes she apologized to Salim who stood there with such a look of shock on her face she almost started laughing again.

" Baby, I know the shit not funny. I've been stressing this shit HERE, for so long though I just don't even know what else to do but, laugh. I can't even remember what I ate 20 minutes ago much less when a damn bill is due. I have been trying to keep the shit together but, my brain just hasn't been cooperating lately. Why would I ask you for anything you have your own bills, you don't technically live here and you ain't even really my man." shrugging her shoulder and twirling her short silver hair as she stared at the floor, embarrassed.

"So rather than ask me for help, you sat here stressing yourself and possibly harming our child over your fucking pride. Get the fuck over yourself Lai, I, live, here and you know I have more than enough money to help you out. I've told you time and time again I only want the best for you and our little princess. I know I messed up in the beginning but you can trust me baby, I am here to help shoulder this burden. I can move out of my place and move in here officially if that would put your mind at ease about the cost." he finishes sweetly as he took her hands into his. " I got you babe" he whispers as he pulls her into his arms and buries his face into the top of her head. Alai wraps her arms around him and they swayed together for a few seconds before Salim released her. " I'll be right back", he said as he rushed out the door with an intense look on his face.